Dual Aligner Assembly for Orthodontic Tooth Movement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic aligner systems face challenges in predictability and efficiency due to 'lag of movement' issues, where teeth do not follow planned movement, leading to increased treatment time and waste of aligners, especially when the difference between current and target positions becomes too great, causing the aligner to lose contact with the teeth.
Innovation Solution
A dual aligner assembly comprising a softer, thinner inner aligner and a stronger, thicker outer aligner, with features like dimples and ridges, where the outer aligner provides anchorage for the inner aligner to apply larger and more accurate forces, ensuring teeth move to desired positions without unwanted movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single aligner is used to move teeth to target positions, then the aligner structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the control over tooth movement is insufficient leading to lag of movement and loss of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The single aligner is divided into two separate aligners: an inner aligner that contacts the teeth and applies movement forces, and an outer aligner that provides anchorage and stability. This segmentation allows each aligner to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall control while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The inner aligner is nested within the outer aligner, with the inner aligner positioned inside the outer aligner's cavity. This nested configuration allows the softer inner aligner to conform to teeth while the harder outer aligner provides structural support and anchorage, enhancing movement control without requiring a completely new system architecture
2Reliability
If the aligner material is made softer to conform to teeth, then the aligner is more comfortable and maintains contact, but the force application becomes less precise and control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the aligner system have different material properties: the inner aligner is made of softer, more compliant material to maintain contact with teeth surfaces, while the outer aligner is made of harder, more rigid material to provide precise anchorage and force direction. This local differentiation of material quality allows simultaneous achievement of contact maintenance and force precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite material construction with two distinct materials having different mechanical properties. The inner aligner uses a softer polymer material that flexes to maintain tooth contact, while the outer aligner uses a harder polymer material that resists deformation to provide stable anchorage points, creating a composite system that leverages the advantages of both material types
3Force
If the aligner thickness is increased to provide more force, then the force application is stronger, but the aligner becomes less flexible and may lose contact with teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The force application function is segmented between two aligners of different thicknesses: the inner aligner is thinner and more flexible to maintain contact with tooth surfaces, while the outer aligner is thicker and provides the primary structural support and anchorage. This segmentation allows the system to generate sufficient force through the outer aligner while the inner aligner ensures continuous contact through its flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The thinner inner aligner is nested within the thicker outer aligner, allowing the inner aligner to provide flexibility and contact maintenance while the outer aligner provides the structural thickness needed for force generation. The nested configuration enables the system to achieve both force strength and flexibility simultaneously
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional braces are used to achieve precise tooth movement, then the control and precision are high, but the treatment process is time-consuming and requires frequent visits to the orthodontist
Solution Approach 1:
The dual aligner system is designed and manufactured before treatment begins, with the tooth movement path pre-planned and both aligners custom-fabricated to fit the patient's specific dental anatomy and treatment goals. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for frequent adjustment visits during treatment, as the aligners are designed to guide teeth through the entire treatment sequence autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The patient wears the dual aligner system at home without requiring professional intervention during the treatment process. The aligners are designed to self-adjust and guide tooth movement through their combined mechanical action, allowing patients to undergo treatment in the comfort of their own homes rather than requiring repeated office visits for adjustments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dual aligner assembly enhances control over tooth movement, increases predictability, and reduces treatment time by maintaining contact with teeth, allowing for more accurate and efficient orthodontic corrections, including complex movements like posterior expansion and rotation of premolar and canine teeth.
Implementation Method 1
The first aligner includes a first material having a first shape corresponding to a first set of target tooth positions, wherein the first aligner applies a first orthodontic force against a set of target teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A dual aligner assembly including a plurality of aligners, including a first aligner and a second aligner. The first aligner has a first shape corresponding to a set of target tooth positions and applies an orthodontic force against a set of target teeth. The first orthodontic force generates movement of the set of target teeth to the set of target tooth positions. The second aligner has a second shape corresponding to a combination of current tooth positions of the set of target teeth, the set of target tooth positions, and a thickness of the first aligner. The second aligner partially encloses the first aligner and provides an anchor for at least a portion of the first aligner. Via the anchor, a combination of the first aligner and the second aligner provides an orthodontic force that prevents the set of target teeth from moving to unwanted tooth positions during orthodontic treatment.